Safety latch and line system for towing vehicles

ABSTRACT

Wheel cradles for a wheel lift towing system are quickly and easily coupled to or uncoupled from opposing ends of a cross arm assembly associated with a towing vehicle. The cradles are coupled to the cross arm by sliding the cradles laterally in a substantially horizontal plane from outside the ends of the cross arm. Such lateral insertion facilitates coupling of the wheel cradles to the cross arm in situations of difficult access to the towed vehicle&#39;s wheels, for example, when the towed vehicle is positioned with two of its wheels abutting a curb. An arrangement for coupling a back-up safety line, such as a safety chain, between the towing and towed vehicles provides additional protection against accidental dislodgement of the towed vehicle from the towing vehicle.

This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 268,562 filedon Nov. 7, 1988 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,980 which in turn is adivisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 152,517, filed Feb. 5, 1988, nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to wheel engaging apparatus for use withvehicle towing systems. More specifically, the invention concerns wheelcradles for towing systems wherein the towed vehicle is lifted and towedprincipally by its wheels.

The concept of using detachable, inwardly facing L-shaped wheel cradlesin a wheel lift towing system was first introduced in U.S. Pat. No.4,679,978--Holmes et al., assigned to the same assignee as thisinvention. So-called "wheel lift" towing approaches avoid the need forthe conventional tow truck sling assembly by using wheel engagingstructures or "wheel cradles" which engage the front or rear wheels of avehicle to be towed to lift the wheels and therefore one end of thevehicle substantially without engaging any other portion of the vehicle.The '978--Holmes et al. patent disclosed such a wheel lift tow assemblymounted to the frame at the rear of a tow vehicle and moveablevertically. The tow assembly of the Holmes et al. disclosure included atelescopic tow bar extended and retracted from the rear of the vehicleand a cross arm pivotally mounted intermediate its ends about anupwardly extending axis to a rear portion of the telescopic tow bar.L-shaped wheel cradles were releasably connected to end portions of thecross arm in the Holmes et al. patent.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,623--Bubik discloses a later version of a wheel lifttowing assembly using substantially L-shaped removable wheel cradleshaving the capability for pivoting in a horizontal plane from alaterally remote position spaced outwardly from the sides of the vehicleto be towed.

However, the Bubik arrangement requires insertion of the wheel cradleinto coupling devices associated with the cross arm in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the crossarm--i.e., in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the towed vehicle. This required insertion approach makes cradleattachment to the cross arm of the towing vehicle difficult whenobstructions prevent adequate clearance immediately adjacent the outsidelateral surfaces of the wheels to be engaged.

While known systems employ insertion of the wheel cradle parallel to alongitudinal axis of the cross arm, such systems utilize an extra cradleside arm extension extending parallel to the cross arm axis forinsertion into a cross arm slot. Furthermore, in such known systems, thewheel cradle is not adjustable to a plurality of angular positionsrelative to the crossbar.

Additionally, there is seen to be a need for a convenient back-up safetyline arrangement for providing additional coupling security betweentowing and towed vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to furnish apparatusenabling facile connection and disconnection of a wheel cradle from thecross arm of a wheel lift towing system.

In a wheel lift towing system associated with a towing vehicle, towedwheel engaging apparatus comprises a cross arm assembly coupled to thetowing vehicle and having first and second portions for engagingrespective first portions of circumferentially extending road engagingsurfaces of first and second wheels of a vehicle to be towed. First andsecond wheel cradle members each having a side arm assembly coupled to atransversely extending wheel engaging shoe member for engagingrespective second portions of the circumferentially extending surfacesare coupled to the cross arm assembly via first and second couplingmembers at opposite ends of the cross arm assembly such that each wheelcradle member may be releasably coupled to its respective cross armassembly end via a lateral sliding action of the side arm assemblysubstantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cross arm assemblywhile the side arm assembly extends transversely to said longitudinalaxis, thereby placing the side arm assembly adjacent an outer sidesurface of a towed wheel. Each of the first and second coupling membersinclude sockets on one of an end of the cross arm assembly and an end ofthe side arm assembly, each socket including an opening shaped forreceipt of one of a lateral peripheral surface of an associated side armassembly and an end portion of the cross assembly.

Additionally, the invention contemplates an arrangement for coupling aback-up safety line, or chain, between the towing and towed vehicles.The arrangement includes at least one storage compartment in the towingvehicle having an aperture therein for lengthwise receipt of an unusedportion of a safety line. A guide element is coupled to the tow bar andhas a central aperture through which the safety line is routed. A safetyline latch is coupled to the cross arm for receipt of the safety line ata predetermined position along its length after a free end of the safetyline has been coupled to the towed vehicle chassis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the invention will becomeapparent from the reading of a detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view taken from the rear of a towing vehicleshowing the general environmental use of wheel cradles designed inaccordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a wheel cradle assemblydesigned in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a socket for quick connect and disconnectof the wheel lift system wheel cradles;

FIG. 4 is a side view taken along arrow 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an end view taken along arrow 5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a wheel cradle in an inwardly rotatedposition relative to the cross arm assembly;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a wheel cradle with its side armassembly extended lengthwise and rotated inwardly of the cross armassembly; and

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a routing arrangement for safety lines, orchains, coupling the towing and towed vehicles in accordance with theprinciples of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A typical wheel lift towing system with which the apparatus of theinvention may conveniently be used is set forth in FIG. 1. Low rear endprofile tow truck 100 includes an optional conventional boom with acable and winch assembly 102 which is neither necessary nor pertinent tothe invention. However, many present day tow trucks continue to employsuch a conventional boom in addition to a tow-bar lift system.

Extending from the bottom of the truck chassis at its rear end is atelescoping tow bar or "stinger" 110 as disclosed, for example, in U.S.Pat. No. 4,679,978--Holmes et al. referenced above. Coupled to a rearend of tow bar 110 via a vertically extending pivoting axis 111 is across arm assembly 120. Cross arm assembly 120 carries at its opposedends approach plates 130a and 130b which are backed into abuttingengagement with two wheels of the vehicle to be towed. Coupled to eachend of the cross arm assembly 120 adjacent to approach plates 130a and130b are substantially L-shaped wheel cradle assemblies 140a and 140b.Cradle assemblies 140a and 140b are removably coupled to cross armassembly 120 via respective socket assemblies 150a and 150b which, inthe illustrative embodiment, are welded to end portions of approachplates 130a and 130b and to an outer tube portion of cross arm assembly120 adjacent approach plates 130a and 130b.

Wheel cradle assembly 140a of FIG. 1 is shown in an exploded perspectiveview in FIG. 2. As seen from FIG. 2, wheel cradle assembly 140a iscomprised of a side arm assembly 165 extending transversely of cross armassembly 120 and coupled at its end remote from the cross arm assemblyvia a shoe reinforcing gusset or plate 180 to a wheel engaging shoe 190.Side arm assembly 165 includes an outer tube 160 surrounding fortelescopic sliding engagement therewith an inner tube portion 170 whichis welded to gusset 180. Gusset 180, in turn, is welded to wheelengaging shoe 190. Side arm assembly 165 additionally includes a handle163 which extends over a latch release lever access window 164. Outertube 160 of side arm assembly 165 additionally carries a verticallydisposed latch engaging pin 162, the top portion of which is seenextending from a top surface of outer tube 160 in FIG. 2. The length ofside arm assembly 165 is discretely adjustable by sliding inner tube 170away from cross arm assembly 120 and locked into any one of a pluralityof adjustable positions by releasing plunger pin 161 for engagement withone of a plurality of adjusting holes 171 formed in inner tube 170.

The cradle assembly is removably coupled to an end of cross arm assembly120 adjacent approach plate 130a via a socket assembly 150a. Socket 150ais comprised of a top angle member 154, a base angle member 155 and acenter angle 156 interconnected as shown to form a substantiallyrectanguloid socket having laterally and rearwardly facing openings forsliding receipt in a laterally inward direction of the near end of outertube 160. When slid laterally inwardly of socket assembly 150a, thelatch engaging pin 162 of outer tube 160 of side arm assembly 165engages a latch 153 carried within the socket assembly 150a for couplingof the wheel cradle assembly to the end of the cross arm assembly 120.Vertically aligned slots in top angle member 154 and base angle member155 receive end portions of latch engaging pin 162 and are closed to theexterior of the socket via cover plates 151 and 152, respectively. Latch153 is pivotally mounted within socket 150a via a vertically extendinglatch pivot pin held in mounting holes in the top angle member 154 andthe base angle member 155. Mounting hole 157 for the latch pivot pin isshown in FIG. 2 in top angle member 154.

When assembled to cross arm 120, the window 164 of outer tube 160 ispositioned such that an end portion of latch 153 will protrude throughwindow 164 for manual access to latch 153 for rotating it out of thelocked position for quick release of wheel cradle assembly 140a.

Additionally shown in the exploded perspective view of FIG. 2 are twoalternative embodiments for a flexible safety line or chain latch shownat 800 and 800a. Either of the embodiments shown would be welded, forexample, to a front facing portion of cross arm assembly 120. Thepurpose of latch elements 800 or 800a is to remove slack from andmaintain a safety line or chain in a taut condition after a chain hasbeen passed under cross arm assembly 120 or directly up to the chassisframe forward of the axle of the vehicle being towed ("forward meaningin a direction toward the towing vehicle). The safety line latch 800 or800a is the subject of a co-pending application to T. D. Thomison filedof even date with this application and entitled SAFETY LINE LATCH FORUSE WITH TOWING SYSTEMS, Ser. No. 565,907, filed Aug. 10, 1990, which isa continuation of application Ser. No. 312,528, filed Feb. 21, 1989 nowabandoned.

The safety line latches (800 and 800a in FIG. 2 and 800-1 and 800-2 inFIG. 8) include a base member 802 and a latching member 804. The basemember 802 is affixed to the slidable cross arm tube or sleeve 402 onthe cross arm member 120. The base member 802 has a slot-shaped aperture806 therein in which the safety line 910a, 910b can be positioned. Thelatching member 804 is movable from a first position, as shown in FIG.2, allowing entry and removal of the safety line, to a second position,as shown in FIG. 8, preventing removal of the safety line.

A more detailed discussion of an illustrative embodiment of the quickconnect/disconnect socket coupling arrangement between a wheel cradleand the cross arm is best set forth with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.In FIG. 3, latch 153 is shown in two alternative positions. In a firstposition, latch 153 has its latch pin engaging notch 308 surrounding aportion of the periphery of a latch engaging pin 162 carried by side armouter tube 160. In its released position, latch 153 is shown rotatedaway from latch engaging pin 162, the rotation being affected about anaxis passing through the center of a latch pivot pin 310. Latch 153 isbiased to its closed position via a torsion spring 312 surrounding latchpivot pin 310. Latch 153 additionally comprises a ramp angle or cammingsurface 314 against which latch engaging pin 162 bears upon laterallyinwardly sliding motion of outer tube 160. Upon such inward motion,latch pin 162 will ride up camming surface 314, thereby forcing latch153 to pivot about pivot pin 310 until the latch pin engaging notch 308is encountered, whereupon latch 153 will, under the force of torsionspring 312, snap back to the closed position thereby releasably couplingouter tube 160 of side arm assembly 165 into socket assembly 150a. Latch153 is limited in its angular swing by latch stop angle member 360.

In the latched position, latch release lever portion 304 of latch 153will protrude through access window 164 formed in outer tube 160 formanual access and movement whenever it is desired to release side armassembly 165 from its socket. Such release, as will be apparent fromFIG. 3, will be effected upon a counterclockwise rotation of latch 153via release lever 304 to disengage latch pin engaging notch 308 fromlatch engaging pin 162, thereby enabling the retraction outwardly in alateral direction of outer tube 160 of side arm assembly 165.

As seen from FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the socket is basically formed by theintersection of top angle member 154, center angle member 156, and baseangle member 155, thereby forming a substantially rectanguloid cavityhaving a laterally outwardly facing open surface and a rearwardly facingopen surface for mating receipt of outer tube 160.

As will also be apparent from FIGS. 3-5, outer tube 160 may be moved toa plurality of angular positions relative to cross arm assembly 120.However, these adjustment positions are only possible in an inwarddirection towards the vehicle to be towed--i.e., only for angles of 90°or less of the side arm assembly with respect to the cross arm assembly120. As seen from FIG. 3, surface 340 on center angle 156 which abutslateral surface 350 of cross arm 160 in its 90° position relative to thecross arm, prevents outward rotation of the side arm assembly 165 to anangle of greater than 90° with respect to cross arm assembly 120.

Top angle member 154 and base angle member 155 have respective latchengaging pin entry slots 306 and 307 which are vertically aligned forsliding lateral receipt of latch engaging pin 162. Slots 306 and 307have respective cover plates 151 and 152 welded over the outer facingsurfaces of the pin receiving slot to enable easier manufacture of thesocket entry slot in the respective angle members. Cover plates 151 and152 additionally protect the pin carried by the side arm assembly andadd strength back to the angle members where the slots were formed.

As seen in FIG. 4, latch engaging pin 162 is carried within outer tube160 of slide arm assembly 165 via engaging pin bosses 406 and 408.

Welded to a flange of base angle 155 is an outer cross arm tube orsleeve 402 of cross arm assembly 120 having an inner cross arm tubereceiving chamber 404. Additionally welded to base angle flange 155 isan end of approach plate 130a. The outer cross arm tube 402telescopically receives an inner tube (not specifically shown) forsliding engagement therewith whereby the entire weldment of the socketassembly and approach plate can slide on the inner cross tube of thecross arm assembly 120 for accommodating various wheel axle widths of avehicle to be towed.

As seen in FIG. 5, latch pivot pin 310 is carried in the socket betweentop angle member 154 and base angle member 155 via pivot pin bosses 502and 504, respectively. Surrounding latch pivot pin 310 in the area ofits engagement with latch 153 is a latch mandrel 506 and the torsionspring 312, previously described with reference to FIG. 3.

Handle 163 extends over the latch lever and its access window in outertube 160 to prevent debris from entering the socket and to avoidunintentional disconnecting of the wheel cradle assembly from the crossarm socket.

Outer tube 160 of side arm assembly 165, as shown in FIG. 5, provides aninner tube receiving chamber 302 for inner tube 170 of FIG. 2.

With the arrangement as shown in FIGS. 2-5, enabling quick connect anddisconnect coupling via laterally inwardly sliding and outwardly slidingmotion of the side arm assembly 165 relative to ends of the cross armassembly 120 enables easy use of the apparatus of the invention in thosesituations where side clearance adjacent outer side surfaces of thewheels of the towed vehicle is not available. One such situation, forexample, would be where the vehicle to be towed has at least one of itswheels directly adjacent a curb. For curb heights of approximately fiveinches or less, the sockets are high enough to enable wheel cradlecoupling to the cross arm without obstruction. For curb heights overapproximately five inches, the cross arm assembly 120 would be raised,for example, by the telescopic tow bar 110 of FIG. 1 to a height wherethe socket would be above the curb. At this point, the side armassemblies may be easily slid into their respective sockets fromlaterally outwardly of the towed vehicle and the wheel engaging shoes190 positioned immediately behind the towed wheel generally opposite toapproach plates 130 of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. Shoes 190 may be provided withappropriately shaped surfaces matching the general outer contour of thetowed vehicle wheel such that the wheels may be appropriately graspedeven in the increased upward position of the wheel cradles required inthe towing situation where the curb height exceeds five inches.

Further optional adjustable features of the wheel cradles of theinvention are depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIG. 6, side arm outer tube160 is shown positioned in its socket at an angle of less than 90°relative to the approach plate 130a and hence cross arm assembly 120.

In FIG. 7, outer tube 160 is not only shown in an inwardly directedposition in a horizontal plane but is additionally shown having thelength of the side arm assembly 165 increased by pulling out on plungerpin 161 and sliding inner tube 170 outwardly of the cross arm whereuponthe adjusted length may be locked in place by releasing plunger pin 161such that it will engage a preselected one of a plurality of holes 171formed in inner tube 170. The length of cross arm assembly 120 may besimilarly adjusted by sliding an outer tube carrying approach plates130a or 130b along an inner tube of cross arm assembly 120. Thisarrangement is also locked in a chosen position via plunger pinsengaging appropriately formed holes in an inner tube of cross armassembly 120. The outer cross tubes of cross arm assembly 120 are lockedin chosen positions by T-handle set screws and have built-in safetylocks for preventing inadvertent removal of the outer cross tubes fromthe inner tube of the cross arm assembly. Since the arrangement isessentially identical to that shown for side arm assembly 165, thedetails of the arrangement for the cross arm adjustability are not shownin the drawings.

FIG. 8 sets forth a safety line or safety chain routing arrangement ofthe invention. Components of the towing system which are identical tothose set forth in FIG. 1 bear like reference numerals.

As seen from FIG. 8, the towing vehicle 100 includes first and secondstorage compartments 901a and 901b for receipt of an unused end portionof the safety chain 910a or 910b. The keyhole shaped aperture enablesthe safety chain to be temporarily latched at a preselected positionalong its length by forcing the chain into a narrower portion 903a or903b of the aperture.

The safety chain is then routed via a guide ring 920a or 920b, the guiderings being coupled at generally opposite lateral surfaces of the towbar 110. Each guide ring has a central aperture through which therespective safety chain passes in a lengthwise manner as shown in FIG.8.

The free end of each chain 910a or 910b carries a suitable hook such asa conventional "R-hook" 930a or 930b for attachment to the chassis 950of the towed vehicle 951 preferably at a point forward of the towedvehicle's axis 952 closest to the cross arm 120. Also, in a preferablemounting arrangement, the safety chain is passed underneath the crossarm 120 on its way to its attachment point at the chassis. After thechains are hooked to the towed vehicle chassis, they are pulled to ataut position with respect to the cross arm 120 by placing the safetychains at a predetermined position within latch elements 800-1 or 800-2.Latch elements 800-1 and 800-2 could, for example, take the formdisclosed in the above-mentioned co-pending application to T. D.Thomison.

The desired degree of slack in the safety chains between tow bar 120 andthe storage compartments is then selected by placing the safety chain ata preselected lengthwise position with respect to the storagecompartment apertures 902a and 902b and then forcing the chains into thenarrower portions 903a and 903b of those apertures.

The guide elements or rings 920a and 920b help avoid excess slack andadditionally help maintain the proper slack upon towing vehiclecornering.

The invention has been described with reference to an illustrativeembodiment, the details of which are given for the sake of example only.The scope and spirit of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a wheel lift towing system including a towingvehicle having a front end and a rear end and having a tow bar pivotallycoupled to a cross arm for carrying wheel engaging cradles at oppositeend portions thereof, said tow bar extending rearwardly from said towingvehicle, a system for coupling a back-up safety line, such as a safetychain, between the towing vehicle and a towed vehicle situated in saidwheel engaging cradles, the system comprising:a first storagecompartment in the rear end of said towing vehicle for storing an unusedportion of a first safety line; first latching means positioned on saidcross arm for receipt of the first safety line at a predeterminedposition along its length after a free end of the first safety line hasbeen coupled to the towed vehicle; and said first latching meanscomprising a base member and a retainer member, said base member havinga slot therein for holding a portion of said first safety line, saidslot being open at one end and said retainer member being movablebetween a first position covering said open one end of said slot and asecond position allowing access to said slot, whereby when said retainermember is in said first position said first safety line is securely heldin said slot, and when said retainer member is in said second positionsaid first safety line is removable from said slot.
 2. The system as setforth in claim 1 further including:a second storage compartment in therear end of said towing vehicle for storing an unused portion of asecond safety line; and second latching means positioned on said crossarm at a point displaced from a midpoint of the cross arm and generallysymmetrical to a coupling point for the first latching means withrespect to the midpoint, the second latching means receiving the secondsafety line at a predetermined position along its length after a freeend of the second safety line has been coupled to the towed vehicle. 3.The system as set forth in claim 1 further comprising guide meanspositioned on said tow bar for holding said first safety line.
 4. Thesystem as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a first guide meanspositioned on said tow bar for holding said first safety line and asecond guide means positioned on said tow bar for holding said secondsafety line.
 5. The system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said firstand second guide means each have an aperture means through which therespective safety line is routed.
 6. The system as set forth in claim 1wherein the free end of the first safety line is coupled to the towedvehicle chassis between the cross arm and an axle of the towed vehicleclosest to the towing vehicle.
 7. The system as set forth in claim 2wherein the free ends of the first and second safety lines are coupledto the towed vehicle chassis between the cross arm and an axle of thetowed vehicle closest to the towing vehicle.
 8. A safety line system fora wheel lift assembly for a towing vehicle for lifting and towing atowed vehicle, said towing vehicle having a front end and a back end,said system and assembly comprising:a) a pair of safety line storagecompartments in said back end of said towing vehicle, said storagecompartments having safety line affixation means thereon; b) a tow barmeans affixed to the back end of said towing vehicle and extendingrearwardly therefrom in a direction substantially along the longitudinalaxis of said vehicle; c) a cross arm member pivotally attached to theouter end of said tow bar means said cross arm member being elongatedand having two ends, d) a pair of safety line holding means attached tosaid cross arm member intermediate said two ends, e) wheel cradle meanspositioned on said cross arm member for holding wheels of said towedvehicle and lifting said towed vehicle, f) a pair of safety line meansstored in said storage compartments for being pulled out, positioned insaid holding means and attached to said towed vehicle, g) whereby saidsafety line means when attached to said towed vehicle, positioned insaid holding means, and affixed to said storage compartments, provides aback-up holding and towing means for said towed vehicle.
 9. The systemand assembly of claim 8 wherein said safety line means comprises a pairof safety chains and said affixation means on said storage compartmentcomprise keyhole shaped apertures.
 10. The system and assembly of claim8 further comprising safety line guide means positioned on said tow barmeans for further holding and guiding said safety line means.
 11. Thesystem and assembly of claim 10 wherein said safety line guide means isused to avoid excess slack of said safety line means and to helpmaintain proper slack of said safety line means upon cornering of thetowing vehicle.
 12. The system and assembly of claim 10 wherein saidsafety line guide lines has at least one aperture means therein throughwhich the safety line means is routed.
 13. The system and assembly ofclaim 8 wherein each of said pair of safety line holding means comprisesa first member attached to said cross arm member and a movable secondmember, said first member having an aperture therein for holding saidsafety line means, and said second member being pivotally affixed tosaid first member and movable between a first position allowing entryand removal of said safety line means in said aperture and a secondposition preventing removal of said safety line means.
 14. A safety linesystem for a towing vehicle, the towing vehicle having a rear end, saidsystem comprising:a) safety line means, b) storage means in said rearend of said towing vehicle for storing an unused portion of said safetyline means, said storage means having affixation means thereon; c) a towbar assembly affixed to the rear end of said towing vehicle for liftingand towing a towed vehicle, d) said tow bar assembly affixed to saidtowing vehicle and having an outer end, e) a cross arm member attachedto said tow bar assembly, said cross arm member being elongated andhaving two ends, f) safety line securing means on said cross arm memberintermediate said two ends for securely holding said safety line meansin place, and g) lift means on said cross arm member for lifting saidtowed vehicle, h) said safety line means stored in said storage meansadapted to be pulled out therefrom, positioned in said safety linesecuring means and attached to said towed vehicle, i) whereby saidsafety line means when attached to said towed vehicle, affixed in saidsecuring means, and affixed to said outlet of said storage means,provides a back-up holding and towing means for said towed vehicle. 15.The system of claim 14 further comprising guide means on said tow barassembly for holding said safety line means.
 16. The system of claim 14wherein said tow bar assembly has a first section permanently affixed tosaid vehicle and a second section positioned within said first sectionin a telescoping relationship.
 17. The system of claim 15 wherein saidguide means has at least one aperture means therein through which thesafety line means is routed.
 18. The system of claim 14 wherein saidsafety line securing means comprises a first member attached to saidcross arm member and a movable second member, said first member havingan aperture therein for holding said safety line means, and said secondmember affixed to said first member and movable between a first positionallowing entry and removal of said safety line means in said apertureand a second position preventing removal of said safety line means. 19.The system of claim 14 wherein said safety line means comprises a pairof safety chains and said affixation means on said storage meanscomprise keyhole shaped apertures.
 20. The system of claim 15 whereinsaid guide means is used to avoid excess slack of said safety line meansand to help maintain proper slack of said safety line means uponcornering of the towing vehicle.
 21. The system of claim 14 wherein saidsafety line securing means comprises a first member attached to saidcross arm member and a movable second member, said first member having aslotted aperture therein for holding said safety line means, and saidsecond member being pivotally affixed to said first member and movablebetween a first position allowing entry and removal of said safety linemeans in said aperture and a second position preventing removal of saidsafety line means.
 22. A safety line system for a wheel lift assemblyfor a towing vehicle for lifting and towing a towed vehicle, said towingvehicle having a front end and a back end, said system and assemblycomprising:a) a pair of safety line storage compartments in said backend of said towing vehicle, said storage compartments having safety lineaffixation means thereon; b) a tow bar means affixed to the back end ofsaid towing vehicle and extending rearwardly therefrom in a directionsubstantially along the longitudinal axis of said vehicle; c) a crossarm member pivotally attached to the outer end of said tow bar means, d)a pair of safety line holding means attached to said cross arm member,e) wheel cradle means positioned on said cross arm member for holdingwheels of said towed vehicle and lifting said towed vehicle, f) a pairof safety line means stored in said storage compartments for beingpulled out, positioned in said holding means and attached to said towedvehicle, g) each of said pair of safety line holding means comprises afirst member attached to said cross arm member and a movable secondmember, h) said first member having an aperture therein for holding saidsafety line means, i) and said second member being pivotally affixed tosaid first member and movable between a first position allowing entryand removal of said safety line means in said aperture and a secondposition preventing removal of said safety line means, j) whereby saidsafety line means when attached to said towed vehicle, positioned insaid holding means, and affixed to said storage compartments, provides aback-up holding and towing means for said towed vehicle.
 23. A safetyline system for a towing vehicle, the towing vehicle having a rear end,said system comprising:a) safety line means, b) storage means in saidrear end of said towing vehicle for storing an unused portion of saidsafety line means, said storage means having affixation means thereon;c) a tow bar assembly affixed to the rear end of said towing vehicle forlifting and towing a towed vehicle, d) said tow bar assembly affixed tosaid towing vehicle and having an outer end, e) a cross arm memberattached to said tow bar assembly, f) safety line securing means on saidcross arm member for securely holding said safety line means in place,and g) lift means on said cross arm member for lifting said towedvehicle, h) said safety line means stored in said storage means adaptedto be pulled out therefrom, positioned in said safety line securingmeans and attached to said towed vehicle, i) said safety line securingmeans comprises a first member attached to said cross arm member and amovable second member, j) said first member having an aperture thereinfor holding said safety line means, k) and said second member affixed tosaid first member and movable between a first position allowing entryand removal of said safety line means in said aperture and a secondposition preventing removal of said safety line means, l) whereby saidsafety line means when attached to said towed vehicle, affixed in saidsecuring means, and affixed to said outlet of said storage means,provides a back-up holding and towing means for said towed vehicle.